Botany Collections Manager

Published: November 29, 2023    Collections Manager, Jobs

Closing: December 6, 2023

COLO Herbarium, CU Boulder https://www.colorado.edu/cumuseum/research-collections/botany-section-university-herbarium-colo

Job Summary

The CU Museum of Natural History is encouraging applications for The Museum Collections Manager – Botany position. The manager works collaboratively with the section Curator in meeting the goals of the section as they apply to the mission of the museum—contributing to the knowledge of the natural world and human history through research, teaching, and public education—as well as together serving as the stewards for the collections in preservation and accessibility for future generations.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The CU Museum of Natural History fosters exploration and appreciation of the natural environment and human cultures through research, teaching, and community outreach. We provide academic training for graduate students in Museum and Field Studies; build, conserve, and interpret research collections; and offer exhibits and educational programs for the University and the public.

The Museum is located on the main campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO, and houses the largest natural history collection in the Rocky Mountains. Currently, more than four million objects are categorized into five fields: Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Paleontology, and Zoology. Through our Public Section, we provide a wide range of public programs and exhibits for the campus, K-12, community and regional audiences, serving a great breadth of lifelong learners. Learn more about our museum and collections.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

I. Curation and Collections Administration

Specimen Curation and Care

  • Possesses expert knowledge in the care and management of museum collections and expert subject area knowledge of the collection types.
  • Manages daily curatorial needs of permanent collections and research and teaching collections, including specimen/object preparation and processing, identification, cataloging, housing, and conservation.
  • Reviews and processes collections transactions (accessions, loans, deaccessions, and repository agreements), ensuring strategic alignment with unit objectives and compliance with local, state, federal, and international laws.
  • Facilitates unit projects and initiatives, including grant project implementation and management.
  • Ensures long-term preservation conditions of physical collections through environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, storage infrastructure, archival practices, and collections improvement activities.
  • Reviews and processes collections use requests and facilitates research access (loan and exhibit proposals, research visits, destructive sampling, image rights, etc.).
  • Maintains accurate collection inventories, object tracking, and access control.
  • Works to improve and expand collections by facilitating donations, acquisitions, and/or field collections, as appropriate, including establishing relationships with local agencies and donors or participating in fieldwork.
  • Maintains section archives, publications, and library.
  • Manages and monitors environmental, health, and safety conditions in collections and lab areas.
  • Prepares collection objects and data for in-person and virtual exhibitions and collaborates on social media content.
  • Serves as or works with building proctors to ensure the facilities are sufficient for protecting specimens/objects and staff.
  • Responds to emergency situations that threaten the collections, e.g., protecting specimens/objects, detailing the nature and extent of damage, working with facilities management for proper cleanup actions, and facilitating the conservation of specimens/objects following an emergency.
  • Participates in cross-department groups (i.e., collections committee, working groups, etc.) to accomplish collections-wide objectives.

Legal Compliance

  • Serves as principal officer for relevant permits and licenses and is responsible for all collections-related legal compliance activities on behalf of the museum and the university, including reporting requirements: e.g., Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Protection Acts, Endangered Species Act and various wildlife Protection Acts, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
  • Ensures accessions are legally and ethically sound transactions (i.e., incoming materials are accompanied by legal documentation, such as signed deeds of gift, all relevant permits, and provenance documentation).
  • Manages state and federal permits/licenses pertaining to specimen/object holdings, collecting activities, and specimen/object transport (e.g., public land permits, Dangerous Goods regulations, import/export permits, scientific collecting licenses, wildlife salvage permits), including correspondence and required reporting to relevant regulatory agencies (APHIS, DOT, CDOW, IATA, NPS, USDA, USFWS).
  • Manages repository agreements with state and federal agencies.
  • Prepares deaccessions for review by the Curator and Collections Committee and ensures ethical disposal or transfer.

Data Management

  • Generates and manages digital data and assets associated with collections (e.g., images, 3D media, scanned archives).
  • Designs, manages, and maintains the digital collections management system/database.
  • Improves data quality and builds digital infrastructure to link collections to primary data and research products.
  • Maintains digital object/specimen documentation to archival and community data standards, including long-term planning, data tracking, and migration to sustainable formats.
  • Manages digitization projects, digital asset archiving, and digital asset metadata preservation.
  • Harmonizes datasets with wider community data standards and makes data and digital assets accessible through data publishing and initiatives, as appropriate.

Policy Development

  • Develops, updates, and implements section policies and procedures.
  • Develops project-specific protocols and workflows for section staff.
  • Works with CU Counsel to ensure that policies and procedures follows university policies and procedures.

Planning

  • Guides collection projects and priorities and assesses short- and long-term strategic goals in coordination with the Curator(s).
  • Manages purchasing activities and expense reports, continuing and grant budgets pertaining to collections, and hourly timesheets.
  • Participates in fiscal planning and decision-making including use of endowment funds and large monetary gifts, in coordination with the Curator(s).
  • Solicits external funds for the improvement of collections through grant writing.
  • Performs grant administration and project management, including management of grant budgets, and preparation of interim and final reports for funded projects.
  • Prepares annual reports on unit metrics and activities.
  • Works with University Risk Management to ensure proper collections coverage during annual underwriting of the Fine Arts and Special Collections Insurance Policy.
  • Writes, updates, and implements emergency preparedness plans for collections.

Hazardous Materials and Bio-hazard Management

  • Is responsible for lab safety, conducts trainings, and develops protocols relating to proper care, handling and processing of biohazardous material and contaminated objects (e.g., specimen dissection and processing, heavy metals and pesticides applied to collections).
  • Maintains an inventory of chemicals used/stored in collections areas, manages hazardous waste generated in collections spaces in compliance with University EHS Regulations.
  • Maintains required EHS trainings and certifications for working with collections supervised (e.g. laboratory safety, biohazardous materials and waste generation, pathogens and zoonotic disease, radiation, and federally classed Dangerous Goods), and manages required EHS trainings and compliance for section students, staff, and volunteers.

II. Supervision

  • Trains and supervises Museum and Field Studies Graduate Assistants, student collections assistants.
  • Recruits, trains, and Supervises undergraduate hourly students, Graduate Assistants, Professional Research Assistants, contract staff, and volunteers.
  • Supervise students and visiting researchers using collections.
  • Works with Teaching Assistants and Faculty using collections for lab-based courses to ensure proper care and specimen handling by students.

III. Service

  • Hosts visitors and conducts tours of the collections.
  • Responds to information inquiries and data requests.
  • Provides specimen identifications for the general public.
  • Serves as a liaison with university courses, K-12 schools, and other groups.
  • Collaborates with the Public Section with label copy and specimen/object preparation.
  • Serves on Museum and University committees.
  • Reviews section content on the Museum’s website.
  • Participates in scholarly activity outside the University and by attending professional meetings and serving on boards, task forces, and/or committees.
  • Reviews manuscripts in the individual’s area of expertise.
  • Participates in grant review committees.

IV. Education

  • Serves as primary professional mentor for Museum and Field Studies and cognate graduate students.
  • Presents guest lectures, demonstrations, and tours to classes, students, and community members.
  • Presents public talks and/or outreach presentations.
  • Provides informal education programming and curricula for K-12 school groups.
  • Supports University courses by arranging access to collections and facilitating course loans.
  • Teaches and/or assists with classes including museum practice and independent study hours.
  • Serves on graduate student committees by requesting a special faculty appointment from the Graduate School and with the Curator’s approval.

V. Research

  • May conduct research in a manner that supports the general mission of the Museum and Section. Research time should be determined with the Curator and should not conflict with the collections management obligations of the Section.
  • Presents projects/research at academic or professional conferences.

What You Should Know

This position offers a hybrid work modality with both on-site and remote work hours. The work schedule is usually Monday-Friday. What We Can Offer

What We Can Offer

The hiring range for this position is $56,000 – $70,000 annually. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. Benefits

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder. Be Statements

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder. What We Require

What We Require

Master’s degree in museum studies or in a relevant field of study and one year of experience in related museums collections work, or equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute. What You Will Need

What You Will Need

Solid understanding of care and management of natural history collections, including cataloging & accessioning specimens, processing loans, regulations & permits affecting collections, environmental monitoring, occupational health & safety protocols, electronic database, Microsoft Office and imaging/digitization software, and collection research methods. What We Would Like You to Have

What We Would Like You to Have

  • Experience in a collection management or curatorial or related position.
  • Applicants should have a working knowledge of the flora/biota of Colorado and/or western North America.

 Special Instructions

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

  1. A current resume.
  2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by December 6, 2023 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs. (https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=53223)

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu